Kumamoto Prefecture's First! Brand Sakura Trout Farmed in Goshoura Sea Begins First Shipment; Brand Name Unveiling and Tasting Event for Business Partners and Media Held Ahead of Full-Scale Shipping

FUKUNARI Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Kumamoto City, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto Prefecture, CEO & CVO: Yu Hirao) plans to begin its first shipment of brand Sakura Trout, farmed in the seas of Goshoura, Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture, starting in May 2026. Ahead of the full-scale shipment, we will hold a brand name unveiling and tasting event for business partners and media representatives on Monday, April 28, 2026. The sea-farmed Sakura Trout, the first in Kumamoto Prefecture*, is drawing attention as a hopeful fish species for aquaculturists, as the fry welcomed into Fukunari's pens in December 2025 can be shipped in approximately six months. This allows for stable sales without the concerns of natural disasters. This brand Sakura Trout, born from a challenge to introduce a new fish species for the first time in 46 years, facing head-on the changing seas of Amakusa, including rising seawater temperatures and the occurrence of red tides. This is a unique opportunity to experience the story of its birth and its rich flavor alongside the producers. Additionally, the brand name will be announced on the day of the unveiling event. *According to our research (for sea-farmed Sakura Trout aquaculture in Kumamoto Prefecture). ■ Event Overview Event Name: Brand Sakura Trout Farmed in Goshoura Sea - Brand Unveiling and Tasting Event Date and Time: Monday, April 28, 2026 16:00 - 20:00 Venue: Kaminoura Circus 4-2 T-Brio BF, Suido-cho, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, 860-0844 Target Audience: Business partners and media representatives Organizer: FUKUNARI Co., Ltd. Cooperation: Smolt Co., Ltd. (Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture) Bear's Book Co., Ltd. (Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture) ■ Day's Program (Tentative) *Note: Some contents may be subject to change. 16:00 - 16:45: [Pre-Media Briefing] Interviews and Q&A Media Contact: Yuki Hirao (Director, Fukunari) 16:30 onwards: Reception opens for business partners and invited guests 17:00 onwards: [Part 1: Sakura Trout Unveiling Ceremony] ① Opening & Representative's Greeting (Yuki Hirao) ② Story Presentation: "Double-cropping" aquaculture efforts, introduction to aquaculture farm footage, The future vision of the evolving fishery industry alongside the region *Brand name revealed at the end of the video. ③ Special Talk Session : Impressions from the aquaculture farm visit, the charm of Sakura Trout, The future and possibilities of food Speakers: Yuki Hirao (Fukunari), Chef Hiroyuki Honda, Haruyo Aijo *Special dishes featuring Sakura Trout tasting provided by Chef Hiroyuki Honda and Haruyo Aijo Until 18:00: [End of Part 1] 18:15 onwards: Reception opens for the networking event (business partners and invited guests) 18:30 onwards: [Part 2: Networking Event] - Master of Ceremonies (Bear's Book: Mori) - Closing Remarks (Representative: Yu Hirao) 20:00: Closing ■ About the "Brand Sakura Trout" Farmed in the Goshoura Sea ● Utilizes high-temperature tolerant salmon variety, selectively bred over 6 generations by Smolt Co., Ltd. ● Experimental cultivation of approximately 2,000 fish began in December 2025 in the Goshoura Sea area (Fukunari Aquaculture Farm), Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture → Full-scale launch planned from 2026 ● Different variety from currently expanding land-based salmon and other common salmon ● Compared to salmon, it has a refined fattiness and a cherry-blossom pink color ● Optimal species for winter to spring, with stable quality that is less affected by natural environmental fluctuations such as red tides and typhoons ● A "double-cropping aquaculture" model that effectively utilizes the idle periods (off-seasons) of existing aquaculture schedules ● Establishment of a regional brand as "Brand Sakura Trout" grown in the Goshoura Sea; the brand name will be announced at this presentation event. ■ Introduction of Speakers 【Yuki Hirao】 Director & PR Evangelist, FUKUNARI Co., Ltd. A director at Fukunari, an aquaculture company with 66 years of history. Diagnosed with leukemia at 28 and given six months to live, she returned after a grueling battle. She is currently raising her child while promoting the appeal of pufferfish and sea bream nationwide. She is also focused on innovation in the fishery industry, winning the 1st place globally at the 2025 BELLA AWARDS as the first Japanese recipient. She was also selected as the nation's sole Primary Producer PR Evangelist. With her diverse talents, including logo design as a calligrapher, she brings a new dynamic to her family's traditional business. 【Hiroyuki Honda】 Owner Chef, Hanakomachi Based in Ueki Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, he advocates for "Shin Kumamoto Cuisine," rooted in local circulation. He pursues a unique culinary philosophy that reconstructs Kumamoto's traditions for the modern era, growing his own wheat and soybeans and making soy sauce and seasonings from scratch. He values his bonds with local producers cultivated over many years, creating dishes that connect Kumamoto's terroir to the next generation. His exceptional skills and passion are highly acclaimed both within and outside the prefecture, evidenced by his 5 consecutive selections for Gault & Millau, his recognition as a "Kumamoto Premium Chef," and his role as the chef for JR Kyushu's scenic train "36+3." He is a Kumamoto master who fuses tradition and innovation to deliver a unique dining experience. 【Haruyo Aijo】 Representative, HARUlab. Registered Dietitian. Residing in Uki City. After many years of nutritional management and dietary guidance at hospitals and elderly care facilities, she went independent. Currently, as the representative of "HARUlab.," she is involved in recipe development utilizing local ingredients, training for chefs and businesses, and food education/human resource development projects. She plans and operates numerous projects in collaboration with government and private sectors, focusing on local production for local consumption and the inheritance of food culture. ■ About FUKUNARI Co., Ltd. Company Name: FUKUNARI Co., Ltd. Head Office Location: 380-9 Tasaki-cho, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture Representative Director: Yu Hirao Established: July 2016 (Founded: April 1960) Business Activities: Aquaculture, processing and wholesale, EC business, SEAFOODTECH business TEL / FAX: 096-322-3112 / 096-322-3113 Official Website: https://fukunari.jp/ Keywords: Sakura Trout, Cherry Blossom, Challenge, Aquaculture, Fishery, Fisheries Industry, Kumamoto Prefecture, Fukunari, Pufferfish, Sea Bream